sarahbarnsley
Mama Doe
I have a friend who is in her early 30s so she's old enough to know better.
Her parents bought a rabbit for her nephew and niece (2 years ago) and suprise suprise they got bored of him. My friend has told me all about this rabbit - he's stuck in a small hutch all day and never really gets any attention. I've told her countless times about the need for company, toys, a proper diet but it seems that she & her dad are still stuck in the dark ages and think mix, lettuce and the occasional carrot are adequate. I mentioned spaying and vaccination and she practically laughed at me. She also thinks my bunnies are spoilt (they get toys....a proper diet, vaccinations etc)
Now she's told me that rabbit has "dandruff". I suspect that he has mites as Mr Gus had flecks in his fur when he had mites. I've begged her to take him to the vets as it must be horrible for him but when I told her the likely cost of treatment she said her dad wouldn't pay for him.
What can I do about this? Should i suggest to her that they ought to think about re-homing him? How can I make her take him to the vets?
It seems a common problem, bunnies being bought for grandkids then stuck in hutches. And by people who should know better - I have another friend whose parents got their bunny for the grand-daughter. She's well-loved but they absolutely refuse to spay her "in case it changes her character" and they wont bond her for the same reasons although they are out at work most of the day.
Anyway sorry for the rant, my friends have just really annoyed me. They are both educated decent people but seem to have lost the plot when it comes to animals.
Her parents bought a rabbit for her nephew and niece (2 years ago) and suprise suprise they got bored of him. My friend has told me all about this rabbit - he's stuck in a small hutch all day and never really gets any attention. I've told her countless times about the need for company, toys, a proper diet but it seems that she & her dad are still stuck in the dark ages and think mix, lettuce and the occasional carrot are adequate. I mentioned spaying and vaccination and she practically laughed at me. She also thinks my bunnies are spoilt (they get toys....a proper diet, vaccinations etc)
Now she's told me that rabbit has "dandruff". I suspect that he has mites as Mr Gus had flecks in his fur when he had mites. I've begged her to take him to the vets as it must be horrible for him but when I told her the likely cost of treatment she said her dad wouldn't pay for him.
What can I do about this? Should i suggest to her that they ought to think about re-homing him? How can I make her take him to the vets?
It seems a common problem, bunnies being bought for grandkids then stuck in hutches. And by people who should know better - I have another friend whose parents got their bunny for the grand-daughter. She's well-loved but they absolutely refuse to spay her "in case it changes her character" and they wont bond her for the same reasons although they are out at work most of the day.
Anyway sorry for the rant, my friends have just really annoyed me. They are both educated decent people but seem to have lost the plot when it comes to animals.